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The Redwood City Council unanimously approved updates to its anti-displacement strategy at its Jan. 27 meeting, aiming to protect tenants and preserve affordable housing.
“In 2022, the City Council approved the comprehensive ADS policy, which addresses protection and preservation [to protect tenants],” Assistant City Manager Patrick Hesinger said.
Since then, housing issues have become more pressing as homelessness and displacement have increased. A 2024 San Mateo County study found that the county’s homeless population rose 18% over two years. Redwood City has the largest homeless population in the county, with more than 2,100 unhoused people as of January 2024.
The council approved the ADS updates unanimously, though some members expressed reservations.
“While I had hoped that staff and my council colleagues would consider moving forward with preparing a tenant protection ordinance allowing tenants the right to return to their homes at the same rent following a substantial remodel, I believe that the recommendations we adopted will still benefit the community,” Council member Christopher Sturken said.
Sturken cited a UC Berkeley study that found nearly 23% of Redwood City households had experienced displacement.
City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz said the city is working on multiple housing initiatives beyond ADS.
“While the emphasis on tonight’s ADS meeting is our preservation and protection plan, we have a lot going on around housing production,” she said, adding that 4,500 housing units are expected by 2031, including more than 1,000 affordable units.
The anti-displacement strategy drew strong public reactions, with most speakers calling for stronger protections.
“We are so disappointed that the most recent displacement strategy recommendations from city staff do nothing to prevent the ongoing displacement of our families, friends, and neighbors,” said Brianna, a member of Faith in Action.
Other group members argued that corporations benefit from the housing crisis while the city continues to delay action in favor of “another round of focus groups.”
“Even when families know their rights and access the available support, they continue to be displaced from Redwood City,” one speaker said. “That’s because we do not have adequate renter protections.”
A key policy change directs the city to conduct a focus group on the ‘right to return,’ protection not currently covered under state law. City staff said this could lay the groundwork for a broader tenant protection ordinance.
Another amendment delays the Mobile Home Ordinance assessment to the 2026-27 fiscal year. The ordinance would allow the city to intervene in mobile home park sales to prevent displacement.
The ADS budget allocates more than $600,000 for housing studies, with about $400,000 remaining. An additional $6.8 million is set aside for the Housing Preservation Program.
